England head coach Thomas Tuchel has praised the mentality of midfielder Elliot Anderson, revealing that his record-breaking transfer to Manchester City has caused zero disruption inside the international camp.
City finalized a £116m deal with Nottingham Forest last week to make the 23-year-old playmaker the most expensive British footballer of all time.
Given that the mega-deal was processed in the middle of England’s World Cup campaign, concerns had been raised regarding potential lapses in concentration.
However, speaking to reporters ahead of England’s upcoming knockout preparations, Tuchel confirmed that Anderson underwent his medical checks in the United States with total professionalism, ensuring all focus remained locked on his recovery and training schedules.
Anderson has quickly become an indispensable component of the Three Lions since making his senior international debut last September, starting the opening group fixtures against Croatia and Ghana.
Tuchel expressed his delight at how the young midfielder handled the intense media spotlight surrounding the £116m price tag, reinforcing why incoming City boss Enzo Maresca designated him as a must-have addition to replace their ageing central options.
“It’s very impressive, I have to say, the way he plays and the way he trains, he carries himself,” said Tuchel. “He’s still quite young and quite new to our national team and he just plays like he owns the place.”